Red River College has been able to support more Métis students in need, thanks to an additional donation by the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) and the Louis Riel Institute (LRI).

The Louis Riel Bursaries are available to any full- or part-time RRC students requiring financial assistance who hold citizenship (or are eligible for citizenship) with the Métis Nation. Since 2014, the bursaries have helped 174 Métis students achieve academic success.

The MMF’s donation has been matched by the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI), making more than $400,000 available and enabling the College to support more than 80 students who have applied for this year’s bursary

“This generous donation comes at a pivotal time for many students,” says RRC President Fred Meier. “The immediate assistance makes a direct impact on the lives of students who are working hard towards completing their education, but may be struggling due to COVID-19 or other factors. A bursary can be a critical support and the motivation a student needs to keep going and focus on training for their future career.”

Meara Grant, a fourth-year student in RRC’s Bachelor of Nursing program, received the bursary this year and said it was a huge relief.

“I have been struggling to pay my bills and manage good grades throughout school, especially with times like these,” she says. “This support has taken a tremendous amount of stress off of my shoulders. It has allowed me to focus more time on my clinical placement, and pursue my dreams as a nurse.”

Grant will be completing her senior practicum in the Selkirk Regional Health Centre’s emergency department next month. After graduation, she plans to work as a nurse for a few years before returning to school to obtain her Masters of Nursing and become a Nurse Practitioner.

“Education is so important for our Nation’s growth and prosperity,” says MMF President David Chartrand. “The Métis government in Manitoba has worked hard to get to a place where we can provide our youth with the necessary funding for their education, so they have the chance to find meaningful work and achieve greater financial security.”

Since establishing the bursaries, the MMF and LRI have provided $800,000 to Métis students at RRC as part of the mission to advance education and training for Metis people in Manitoba, and to foster an understanding and appreciation of the culture, heritage and history of the province and its Métis people.

“We are proud of the strong partnership between Red River College and the Manitoba Metis Federation, and the shared commitment to helping students achieve success,” says Meier. “We know the students receiving these bursaries have bright futures ahead of them.”

Award Outline: Louis Riel Bursary

Through funding provided by the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) and matched by the Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI), bursaries are available to eligible Métis students attending a certificate, diploma or degree program (excluding Apprenticeship and upgrading programs) at Red River College, who are maintaining satisfactory academic progress in their program.

An Application for Confirmation of Metis Ancestry must be submitted to the Louis Riel Institute (contact information is included on page 1 of the form), and the General RRC Application for Awards, Bursaries and Scholarship should be submitted to the Student Service Centre at RRC. Only applicants who have submitted both applications will be eligible for consideration. Selection will be based on financial need (those receiving other funding, including MMF funding are still eligible to apply).